In 1963, local landowners Sir Henry and Lady Rosemary d'Avigdor-Goldsmid invited Marc Chagall to install a stained-glass window in the altar of the All Saints’ church in memory of their daughter Sarah, who tragically died in a sailing accident at the age of 21. Unfortunately, the creation of these masterpieces was preceded by a tragic story that can also be referred to as the story of love. However, in 1985 all doubts and disputes were resolved: the last Chagall windows were dedicated and installed, while their predecessors – moved to the vestry at the back of the church. The four chancel windows were the subject of some controversy, as installing them meant removing the Victorian memorial glass. All windows were installed between 19: first, the Memorial Window in the altar wall, then five north windows and two south windows, dedicated in 1974. It is a place of remarkable artistic experiment, where medieval architecture harmoniously coexists with modernist stained glass. It is not the only religious building with Chagall's stained-glass windows in the UK – in 1978 a window based on Psalm 150 was installed at the Chichester Cathedral – but it is the only church in the world whose stained glass was completely done by Chagall. Nowadays it belongs to the Diocese of Rochester.Īpart from its venerable age, the church is also world-famous, as it boasts twelve stained-glass windows by the French artist Mark Chagall (the project took him more than fifteen years to complete). After the dissolution of the monasteries in 1526 it was passed to Christ Church, Oxford, and then became the property of the Crown. During the Middle Ages the church belonged to Tonbridge Priory and was rebuilt between 12-14 centuries).
It has a long history, harking back to the 7 th century A.D and pre-dating the Domesday Book (in which it is, logically, also mentioned).
Now, as churches began to reopen across the UK, the All Saints church welcomes worshippers and visitors again.
The church of All Saints 1 in the small village of Tudeley, not far from the historical medieval town of Tonbridge, can be rightfully considered another well-hidden Wonder of the World.
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